If you’re comparing PEX vs PVC, there isn’t one universal winner. The better pipe depends on what you’re using it for. For residential plumbing, PEX is commonly used for hot- and cold-water distribution because it is flexible and relatively easy to route through walls and around obstacles. PVC is a rigid plastic pipe commonly used…
PEX has been around for more than 50 years, but there is not just one date that explains when it was “invented.” Quick Answer PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) was developed during the 1960s, with German inventor Dr. Thomas Engel playing a central role. Early work dates back to 1965, while 1967–1968 marks important development milestones. Commercial…
PEX plumbing is made primarily from cross-linked polyethylene, a type of plastic that has been chemically or physically modified to create stronger bonds between its polymer chains. This cross-linking gives PEX the flexibility, strength, heat resistance, and pressure performance needed for plumbing applications. In simple terms, manufacturers start with a polyethylene-based compound, form it into…
If you have looked at modern plumbing tubing, you have probably seen the letters PEX printed along the side. But what does PEX stand for? PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene. The name describes the material used to make PEX tubing: polyethylene that has been cross-linked during manufacturing to change its molecular structure and give the…
If you have ever opened a plumbing wall and found a red or blue plastic tube instead of copper, you have probably seen PEX pipe. PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene. It is a flexible plastic piping material widely used for hot- and cold-water distribution, and specific PEX products are also made for applications such as…
If you’re researching PEX-A tubing, the short answer is simple: PEX-A is a flexible type of cross-linked polyethylene tubing made using the peroxide, or Engel, manufacturing method. Its flexibility makes it useful for residential plumbing, water distribution, radiant heating, and other approved piping applications. But there is more to choosing PEX-A than seeing the letter…
Using a PEX crimping tool comes down to five things done in order: cut the tubing square, slide on the correct ring, insert the fitting fully, position the tool over the ring, and complete the crimp, then verify the connection before you cover it up. Get any one of those steps wrong and you can…
Quick Answer PEX plumbing has real advantages: it’s flexible, lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and generally faster and less labor-intensive to install than rigid pipe. Those benefits make it a popular choice for residential water-supply lines, remodels, and whole-house repipes. But PEX also has real limitations. It’s sensitive to UV light, can be damaged by rodents…
The easiest way to connect PEX to copper is usually a push-to-connect transition fitting. It requires no soldering, crimping, or special PEX tools, making it a practical choice for many repairs and smaller plumbing projects. For a permanent traditional installation, you can solder a copper-to-PEX adapter onto the copper pipe and then connect the PEX…
Quick Answer: Does PEX Pipe Need Insulation? Not always, but often it’s a good idea. PEX doesn’t need insulation everywhere it runs, but it should generally be insulated in unheated or semi-conditioned spaces — attics, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls — and on hot-water lines running through unconditioned areas where heat loss matters. PEX…